Sir Winston Churchill | Menu signed for luncheon given to crews on HMS Ajax and Exeter, 23 February 1940

Sir Winston Churchill

Signed printed menu ("W.S. Churchill") for a Luncheon in Guildhall to the Officers and Men of HMS Ajax and HMS Exeter, Friday 23rd February, 1940

signed on upper wrapper, printed in black with red embossed coat of arms of the Corporation of London, 8vo, ribbon ties, stains[with related material:] press cutting, commemorative Picture Post Special on the Battle of the River Plate, photocopies of official documents

A SIGNED WARTIME MENU FROM THE CELEBRATORY LUNCH GIVEN TO THE CREW OF THE BRITISH SHIPS WHO HAD WON THE FIRST NAVAL BATTLE OF WORLD WAR II, SIGNED BY CHURCHILL AS FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY. In his speech given at the lunch, Churchill proclaimed that the battle "takes its place in our naval annals and I might add that in a dark, cold winter it warmed the cockles of the British heart." This menu was signed for Able Seaman Buggy of HMS Ajax.